Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer has joined a campaign pressuring the government to introduce new measures to protect the country's bee population.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth wants the coalition to establish a National Bee Action Plan following what it describes as a "dramatic" decline in population numbers in recent years.

It wants measures including a decrease in the amount of chemicals used in farming and efforts to protect all types of bees, not just those that make honey.

Labour backbencher Mr Cryer is one of 125 MPs who have signed up to the campaign.

He said:" I am extremely concerned about the rapid decline in British bees.

"They’re not only an iconic part of our countryside; they play a vital role in pollinating our crops and flowers too.

"It’s great news that Friends of the Earth is creating a buzz about these crucially important insects – I’ll be doing all I can to help protect our bees in 2013."

The government says it is to launch a consultation on a review and proposals by the National Bee Unit this year on ways to halt the decline in numbers.

Lord de Mauley, the government's minister responsible for bees, told a recent commons debate that it was working hard to tackle the issue, including reviewing the use of some chemicals in farming.

He said: "we are taking this very seriously and are taking action to improve honeybee health and support beekeeping for the future."

Friends of the Earth estimates that bees are worth £1.8billion to the British economy per year due to the crops they pollinate .